Above: Haiti President Michel Martelly and US Education Secretary Arne Duncan

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti President Michel Martelly met with US Education Secretary Arne Duncan this week during the latter’s visit to Haiti.

The US-Haiti education talks included United States Ambassador to Haiti Pamela White, Haiti Education Minister Pierre Winnower and USAID Representative John Groarke, among others.

Duncan was joined on the trip by USAID Senior Advisor for International Education Christine Vilsack and Associate Administrator Mark Feierstein.

On Tuesday, USAID announced a new effort to expand education access in Haiti.

Martelly has made education a major stated priority for his administration, as one of the 5 “E”s which include education, environment, employment, energy and the rule of law (which begins with an E in French).

Duncan, who is visiting several schools on the trip, said the US was ready to support Haitian authorities on their education programme, which is highlighted by a drive to provide free education for children in the country.

Haiti’s government says the initiative has helped 1 million children go to school.

The Education Secretary, famous for his love of basketball, found time to play a game with a high school basketball team in Haiti.

“Sports are a wonderful international language,” Duncan tweeted.